DNA ME-TRAP

DNA ME-TRAP is an investigational, pre-erythrocytic plasmid DNA vaccine candidate developed as part of a heterologous prime-boost immunization strategy against *Plasmodium falciparum* malaria. Developed by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Medical Research Council, the vaccine encodes the ME-TRAP antigen—a fusion of a multiple epitope (ME) string containing T-cell and B-cell epitopes from six pre-erythrocytic antigens and the entire thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (TRAP) of the T9/96 strain of *P. falciparum*. In clinical trials, DNA ME-TRAP was administered intramuscularly as a priming dose, followed by a booster dose of MVA ME-TRAP (Modified Vaccinia Ankara) or FP9 ME-TRAP (fowlpox strain 9) to induce robust CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses against liver-stage parasites. Although safe and immunogenic, the regimen demonstrated limited protective efficacy in field trials in semi-immune populations, leading to the discontinuation of this specific DNA-based priming candidate in favor of other viral vector platforms.

Other names

DNA multiple epitope-thrombospondin-related adhesion proteinDNA-ME TRAP